President Mahmoud Abbas stressed on Tuesday the importance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) continuing to provide services and emergency assistance to vulnerable Palestinian refugees.

This came during a meeting with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.

In a statement quoted by Palestinian news agency WAFA, the President welcomed Commissioner-General Lazzarini, expressing appreciation for his efforts and all the staff working in the Agency, stressing his support for efforts to raise the necessary funding for UNRWA to continue providing its basic and emergency services to the Palestinian people in the diaspora.

The President also stressed his support for the efforts made to renew UNRWA's mandate, stressing that the refugee must be resolved in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Lazzarini briefed the President about the services provided by UNRWA to Palestine refugees and need for more funds to support the Agency’s basic and emergency operations.

Lazzarini spoke about UNRWA's efforts to keep up its role, as per its mandate entrusted to it in accordance with United Nations resolutions. He also underscored the importance of ongoing coordination with all Palestinian institutions, as well as with the Department of Refugee Affairs in the Palestine Liberation Organization, to mobilize financial support to the Agency.